Topic: nutrient performance

Potassium (K) is being gradually removed from Australia’s cropping soils. Since 2002, average crop yields have increased but K fertiliser use has remained static at around 180 kt K/yr. Soil K reserves declined an average of 4 kg K/ha/yr over the last 20 years. Most cropping paddocks have received no […]

Phosphorus may be over applied in Southern Australian grain farms. A recent survey by IPNI found 80% of paddocks had more P applied than removed over a 3–5 year period. Nutrient Performance Indicators (NPIs) revealed that on average, 0.69 kg P is removed per kg P applied.
Some farms may […]

Many Australian grain paddocks have a nitrogen (N) deficit. Analysis by the IPNI of 2016 data collected from grain growers across the southern region found few growers were in N surplus. On average, at a paddock level 1.14 kg N is removed for each kilogram of N fertiliser applied. These calculations […]

Nutrient performance indicators (NPIs) assess how effective and efficient fertiliser applications have been. Last week we talked about using Partial Factor Productivity (PFP) and Partial Nutrient Balance (PNB) together. Those NPIs give you a good idea if your fertiliser investment was worthwhile, and if your paddock nutrient status is stable […]